Franco Colapinto has made a direct appeal to his fanbase, asking them to cease directing online abuse at other Formula 1 drivers and personnel within the sport, emphasising that such behaviour undermines rather than supports his career prospects.
The Alpine driver became the first Argentine competitor to race in Formula 1 in over two decades when Williams brought him into the championship midway through the 2024 season, and he has enjoyed substantial backing from supporters in his home nation.
Since his move to Alpine at the start of 2025, however, the team has released multiple statements condemning online hate and abuse linked to incidents involving the 23-year-old. According to reports from the paddock, Colapinto has stepped away from social media platforms to concentrate on his racing and work with the team.
Although Colapinto had previously acknowledged online abuse as a broader societal concern rather than a specific issue within his own supporter base, his stance has shifted markedly. In a video message shared across social media, he addressed the matter directly.
Hello everyone. There's something very important that I've needed to talk to you about for some time. I probably should have spoken to all of you sooner, but this is something that needs to be addressed, something we need to change and improve.
Colapinto went on to express his gratitude for the consistent support he has received from his followers since the beginning of his career.
I will always be grateful, and I genuinely feel incredibly fortunate to have had you all supporting me from the very beginning. I'm grateful for all the support you give me, for how you help me achieve results, and for how you constantly push me to aim higher.
He acknowledged the role his supporters play in his on-track performance and development as a driver.
You help me and the team achieve our results, race after race, day after day, as we train and try to improve. And I'm genuinely grateful for all of that. I know it makes you incredibly proud when things go well for me, when I score points for myself and the team. And I have always been very grateful for that support.
However, Colapinto then turned to the core issue, highlighting how some supporters have crossed a line in their defence of him.
Instead of supporting me, we end up criticising people and attacking other drivers, other colleagues, my team-mates, my mechanics, my engineers - people I work with every single day. I know you think you're defending me, but you're actually doing the opposite. You're not helping me or my future.
Pattern of Abuse Incidents
The paddock has witnessed several high-profile instances of drivers facing online hostility that appeared connected to Colapinto's fanbase. Jack Doohan, the Australian driver, encountered substantial abuse at the start of the 2025 season before Alpine replaced him with Colapinto after just six rounds of competition.
During the 2026 season, FIA race stewards themselves became targets of online abuse following a penalty decision involving Colapinto at the Dutch Grand Prix. His team-mate Pierre Gasly subsequently spoke out about what he described as disturbing threats he received in the aftermath of the Spanish Grand Prix in September.
The situation escalated further when reigning world champion Lando Norris received abuse after making strongly critical remarks about Colapinto's driving following an incident at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that eliminated Norris from the race. Norris later retracted those comments, but Alpine issued another statement condemning the social media abuse that followed.
According to reports from the team, Alpine made clear that racing errors do not justify hateful or abusive remarks directed at any individual. The team has also rejected claims that it was sabotaging Colapinto to favour Pierre Gasly, addressing conspiracy theories that have circulated among some sections of his fanbase.
According to additional reporting, Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore has reportedly warned that the team could withdraw Colapinto's access for Argentine media if the abuse continues, signalling the seriousness with which the organisation is treating the matter.
Recent Form and Contract Status
In August, Alpine confirmed a one-year contract extension keeping Colapinto with the team through the 2027 season. He responded positively to that news with points-scoring finishes at Italy and Spain in early September, though he has failed to register points across the three races that have followed.
What Happens Next
Formula 1 now moves to the Americas for another triple-header of races. The United States Grand Prix in Austin is scheduled for October 23-25, 2026, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The race represents an opportunity for Colapinto to return to the points and demonstrate the form that earned him his contract extension.
